The Edge Ledger

A quick guide to the odds of Oregon’s casino games (and how to tilt them in your favor)

GAMES OF CHANCE

You may be able to increase the money you pocket through some rudimentary strategies, but you’ll need luck on your side to win big here.

BLACKJACK: SINGLEDECK

House advantage: up to 2%Played at: all Oregon casinos
The object is to draw cards that total 21 without going over (busting).Tip: Always stand (refuse more cards) if you have a hard (no aces) total of 17 or more. Go to hitorstand.net to learn the 45-rule strategy.

CRAPS

House advantage: 0.6–1.4%Played at: Chinook Winds, The Mill, Seven Feathers, Spirit Mountain, Three Rivers, Wildhorse
Player rolls dice hoping for specific combinations. Everyone else bets on the table.Tip: Avoid proposition bets (one-roll bets that the dice will show the number you chose). House edge: 16.7%.

ROULETTE

House advantage: 2.6–5.3%Played at: Chinook Winds, The Mill, Seven Feathers, Spirit Mountain, Three Rivers, Wildhorse
The object is to predict the next winning number.Tip: Finding a wheel with only one zero (lowers house edge to 2.7%) or the surrender rule in which only half your bet is lost on zero (lowers house edge to 1.4%).

BLACKJACK: DOUBLEDECK

House advantage: 0.32%Played at: Spirit Mountain, Wildhorse
Uses two decks instead of the six- and eight-deck games that have become the norm.Tip: Double down on 9 against dealer’s 2 through 6, or on 10 against 2 through 9, and on all 11s.

VIDEOPOKER

House advantage: 0.5–3%Played everywhere
Insert cash and choose your favorite poker game. Just don’t expect your people-reading skills to give you the upper-hand.Tip: Take your time to make your move. The machine won’t care if you dawdle.

SPANISH 21

House advantage: 0.40–0.76%Played at: The Mill, Wildhorse
Like blackjack, but with more ways to win. Uses a Spanish deck of 48 cards; face cards count as 10, but there are no numerical 10s.Tip: If you have a hard 17, surrender against an ace. Stand against all other cards except 6 or higher when the dealer is showing an 8, 9, or 10.

SLOTS

House advantage: 5–10%Played everywhere
Pull the lever, cross your fingers, and hope that the wheels land on three matching symbols (or another winning combination).Tip: A slot machine is never “due” for a jackpot.